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Outing to:
Castle Semple Loch and RSPB Lochwinnoch Saturday 10th December 2022 |
 Mallard © Zul Bhatia
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OUTING LEADER: Zul Bhatia
TIME: 0930 - approx. 12.30
PRICE: Free
VENUE: Meet at Castle Semple car park (Grid Ref NS357590 / Postcode PA12 4EA) and walk to nearby RSPB Reserve.
TRAVELLING: Allow around half an hour from Central Glasgow. Lochwinnoch railway station is just across the road from the RSPB nature reserve. From there, there is a ten-minute walk to our starting point at Castle Semple.
BOOKING INFO: We are not asking participants to book, but if many people turn up, we may have to split into smaller groups.
TERRAIN: Tarmac & gravel paths (the one at the Barr Loch may be a bit muddy), all on level ground.
ACCESSIBILITY:
RSPB's accessibility statement, both for getting to the reserve and for access within it, is available at:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/lochwinnoch/accessibility/
OPTICS: Binoculars essential and preferably a scope but please be prepared to carry it for about ½ mile.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots/trek shoes ideally, and appropriate clothing for the conditions.
NB: May be postponed due to poor weather. Please check SOC Clyde branch website (www.birdsinclyde.scot) and Clyde Birding on Twitter in advance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Lochwinnoch area has a wide variety of habitats, although for this walk we will be focussing on the wetland areas. We will start at Castle Semple Loch car park where many tame wildfowl are present as well as shyer species further out. We will then walk the Semple trail crossing the River Calder (Dipper possible) before arriving at the RSPB reserve. A staff member may be available there to update us with latest developments and future plans. We will probably have a chance to look at both the Aird Meadow and Barr Lochs and we should see a good variety of wetland birds. We may be lucky and see some Whooper Swans and a Hen Harrier.
Toilet facilities, snacks, sandwiches and coffee machine available at the RSPB Visitor Centre.
Café and toilets at Castle Semple Visitor Centre
See the RSPB website:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/lochwinnoch/
The pace of the walk will be fairly relaxed and the ambience informal, with discussion and questions encouraged. The outing is suitable for birdwatchers of all levels. The walk will be led by Zul Bhatia, who lives in Lochwinnoch and managed the RSPB Reserve there for 20 years.
You are welcome to stay on after the outing as there is much to see / explore in the area. Please bring packed lunch if you are wanting to do this.
COVID-19 precautions
In order to keep everyone safe, our walks will be run in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines in place at the time. Please do not attend if you (or anyone in your household) have any Covid-like symptoms.
TIME: 0930 - approx. 12.30
PRICE: Free
VENUE: Meet at Castle Semple car park (Grid Ref NS357590 / Postcode PA12 4EA) and walk to nearby RSPB Reserve.
TRAVELLING: Allow around half an hour from Central Glasgow. Lochwinnoch railway station is just across the road from the RSPB nature reserve. From there, there is a ten-minute walk to our starting point at Castle Semple.
BOOKING INFO: We are not asking participants to book, but if many people turn up, we may have to split into smaller groups.
TERRAIN: Tarmac & gravel paths (the one at the Barr Loch may be a bit muddy), all on level ground.
ACCESSIBILITY:
RSPB's accessibility statement, both for getting to the reserve and for access within it, is available at:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/lochwinnoch/accessibility/
OPTICS: Binoculars essential and preferably a scope but please be prepared to carry it for about ½ mile.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots/trek shoes ideally, and appropriate clothing for the conditions.
NB: May be postponed due to poor weather. Please check SOC Clyde branch website (www.birdsinclyde.scot) and Clyde Birding on Twitter in advance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Lochwinnoch area has a wide variety of habitats, although for this walk we will be focussing on the wetland areas. We will start at Castle Semple Loch car park where many tame wildfowl are present as well as shyer species further out. We will then walk the Semple trail crossing the River Calder (Dipper possible) before arriving at the RSPB reserve. A staff member may be available there to update us with latest developments and future plans. We will probably have a chance to look at both the Aird Meadow and Barr Lochs and we should see a good variety of wetland birds. We may be lucky and see some Whooper Swans and a Hen Harrier.
Toilet facilities, snacks, sandwiches and coffee machine available at the RSPB Visitor Centre.
Café and toilets at Castle Semple Visitor Centre
See the RSPB website:
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/lochwinnoch/
The pace of the walk will be fairly relaxed and the ambience informal, with discussion and questions encouraged. The outing is suitable for birdwatchers of all levels. The walk will be led by Zul Bhatia, who lives in Lochwinnoch and managed the RSPB Reserve there for 20 years.
You are welcome to stay on after the outing as there is much to see / explore in the area. Please bring packed lunch if you are wanting to do this.
COVID-19 precautions
In order to keep everyone safe, our walks will be run in accordance with Scottish Government guidelines in place at the time. Please do not attend if you (or anyone in your household) have any Covid-like symptoms.